• Can art save us – meaning Michigan? When I go to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids each year I sure think so. It’s become my hands-down favorite cultural event in Michigan. It has just the right feel. I get to wander around, I’m not stuck in a drab museum, the art is often very good, and the artists are often on-hand and willing to talk. Heaven.

• So here’s my question: ArtPrize has almost single-handedly transformed Grand Rapids’ image and Traverse City’s film festival is a major draw, so shouldn’t other Michigan cities be trying similar massive arts-based events? My answer: Hey, why not? It’s about time this state got cooler.

• Of course, it’s easier said than done. Every city dabbles in art and culture. But dabbling doesn’t cut it. Dabbling is just … dabbling. Scale is the key. The secret to ArtPrize’s success is it went big or went home right from the start, thanks to the cash and influence of the DeVos family. Most cities have wealthy families. Any of them listening?

• The president of Iran said he won’t shake hands with President Obama at a U.N. meeting because it’s “too complicated.” I think someone needs a chill pill. It’s just a handshake, buddy, not a relationship. You don’t have to kiss the guy. No one’s looking for a bro’mance. We just wanna make friends so you don’t blow up the world, OK? Maybe they could start slow - have coffee first, get to know one another, then go for the handshake.

• With only a week to go before the Obamacare health care exchange opens, Republicans are still trying to stop Obamacare. Their next target: gravity. (“I’m agin it, dadgum it!”)

• I hate bumper stickers. But I’d make an exception for the one that looks like the road sign for M-22. When I see it on other cars, I know a like-minded person is at the wheel. (M-22 is a road that runs along Michigan’s pinkie. Try it, you’ll like it.)

• I wish they’d use “open” and “close” on elevator buttons instead of the triangles pointing inward and outward. It always takes me an extra beat to figure out which is which and by the time I do it’s usually too late.

• My favorite late night joke in recent weeks is this from Jay Leno: “Congratulations to ‘Breaking Bad."’ It won the Emmy for best drama last night. When ‘Breaking Bad’ won, they thanked their agents, their families, and of course the makers of Sudafed.”

• The state of New York is adding 300 spots to freeways across the state where you can pull over and safely text. I doubt people will use them but if so, could they also add spots for people who are reading newspapers, shaving or putting on makeup, all of which I’ve witnessed people doing while driving in the past week? I really gotta stop commuting.

• “Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster.” - Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), English writer.